Military Science and Leadership

LTC Brandon Tennimon, Chair
Main Office: Campus Services Building
Telephone: (269) 387-8120
Fax: (269) 387-8112

Mrs. Cris Obreiter
MAJ Andrew Davis
CPT Rhonda Owsley
CPT Bob Naylor (Grand Rapids Extension)
CPT Mickey Rosalez
CPT Ken Stoodt (Grand Rapids Extension)
MSG Branden Velazquez
SFC Elijah Phillips
Mr. Kent Kauffman
Mr. William Parks
Mr. Rick Rigsby

The Department of Military Science and Leadership 1000 and 2000 level courses are open to all University students. Courses are intended to develop responsibility, individual confidence, leadership and tactical skills, and to broaden students’ knowledge of the role of the military in society. The department offers a Military Science and Leadership program, which can lead to an officer’s commission in the Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or Regular Army upon successful completion of the program. Merit based ROTC scholarships are available to highly qualified students on a competitive basis without regard to financial need.

The chair of the department and all instructors are officers or noncommissioned officers of the United States Army assigned to the department by permission of the University. They administer the Military Science and Leadership program and conduct all classes offered by the department. The government provides uniforms and financial assistance for students who are contracted in the program.

Career Opportunities

Army ROTC increases opportunities for students by providing options and developing leadership potential for a civilian and/or military career. To enter the Advanced Course, a student agrees to finish the ROTC instruction, then accept a commission as a second lieutenant and an assignment in either active or reserve forces duty.

The active duty career option is usually a minimum of three years for non-scholarship students and assignment to a leadership position similar to the junior management level in the civilian sector. Scholarship students generally have longer active duty commitments. Scholarship students generally have longer active duty commitments. The starting salary for a second lieutenant on active duty is approximately $52,000, plus benefits.

The reserve forces career option combines the benefits of a civilian job with the leadership and management experience gained in the Army Reserve or National Guard. The reserve forces obligation is three to six months on active duty attending the Basic Officer Leader Course and the remainder of an eight-year obligation in the reserve forces.

ROTC Admission Requirements

The 1000 and 2000 level ROTC courses are open to all University students with no military obligation as participating students.

To be eligible to enter into the Advanced Course (Commissioning Program) and take 3000 and 4000 level ROTC courses students must be a full time student, be a U.S. Citizen, be not more than 31 years of age at the time of commissioning, and meet specified benchmarking standards and other contracting criteria.

Students pursuing a minor in military science and leadership may participate in 3000 and 4000 level ROTC courses but will not attend leadership lab an not be given a commissioning credit.

The chair of the department reserves the right to deny admission or disenroll a student from any level ROTC course for not upholding Army values and standards.

Scholarships

Army ROTC has one of the largest scholarship programs in the nation.

Awards are competitively based on ability, not on income. ROTC scholarships are offered for two, three, and four years. Four and three-year scholarships are awarded to high school seniors. Three-year scholarships for incoming freshmen winners are upgraded to a four-year scholarship by WMU if the student meets all requirements after their first year. Three-year and two-year scholarships are awarded to students already enrolled in the University. It is not a requirement to be enrolled in ROTC to compete for a scholarship.

ROTC scholarships pay for full tuition and fees (except aviation fees) at WMU and provide $1200 annually for books and fees. They also provide a monthly living stipend. Nursing scholarships are available which cover all of the above plus pay for select nursing fees. Additionally, WMU provides Army ROTC scholarship winners with an additional $3,000 annually towards on-campus housing.

Facilities

The department is located in the Campus Services Building near the College of Health and Human Services and features a computer lab and supply facilities. Leadership labs are conducted in the field areas near the department’s building. The department also operates the rappel tower located on campus and conducts field training at Fort Custer Training Center near Augusta, Michigan.

More information about the ROTC program is available at the ROTC office in the Campus Services Building, by calling (269) 387-8120 or (269) 387-8122, or online at http://www.wmich.edu/rotc.

Military Science and Leadership - Four Year Program

The four-year military science and leadership program is divided into a Basic Course (first two years) and an Advanced Course (last two years) and is offered as a minor program by the University. Non-contracted students who participate in the Basic Course incur no military service requirement.

Basic Course

The Basic Course is designed to give students a general knowledge of the role of national defense and also provides knowledge of leadership skills needed by military officers. Students completing the Basic Course have an opportunity to be considered for the Advanced Course program and obtain a commission in the active Army or Reserve components. ROTC students take at least one military science and leadership course each semester. First year students normally take MSL 1010 in the fall and MSL 1020 in the spring semester. Sophomore students take MSL 2010 during the fall and MSL 2020 during the spring.

Exceptions to the above requirements must be approved by the chair of the department. Students who have had three years of junior ROTC (High School JROTC) or who have completed basic training in any service may, with the approval of the chair of the department, have certain portions of the Basic Course waived. Students transferring from other institutions who have started any ROTC program will have their records reviewed to determine proper placement credit.

Advanced Course

Students successfully completing the Basic Course may be enrolled in the Advanced Course with the permission of the chair of the department. The major emphasis of the Advanced Course is the development of individual leadership and military skills. During the junior year, students complete MSL 3010 and 3020. Between the junior and senior year, students will attend a 37-day ROTC Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. During the senior year, students complete MSL 4010 and MSL 4020. HIST 3200, American Military History, or an equivalent course, is also required for commissioning.

Students who have less than four years, but at least two years, until graduation should contact the department about alternate entry options. Students who meet criteria outlined in Basic Course above may have some requirements waived and students with no military experience may be eligible for course compression or summer training to meet eligibility requirements subject to availability.